Details

• Canada
• MAMgmt-14
• Graduate
• WS 2025
• Time spent at the partner university: 4 months

1. Preparation

Preparing for an exchange semester at Queen’s University should ideally start early, especially when it comes to flights, accommodation research, and financial planning. It helps to read previous exchange reports in advance to get a realistic picture of academic life, housing, and everyday expenses. For Canada, students staying less than six months only need an eTA, which can be obtained online quickly and at low cost, but there is also a mandatory university health insurance plan. Since Kingston can already get quite cold later in the semester, it is worth packing warm clothes.

2. Accommodation

Many students search through Facebook groups or Airbnb. Facebook can be cheaper, but it also comes with a higher risk of scams or unclear sublease arrangements, so written agreements are essential. Airbnb is often more expensive, but usually more flexible and easier to organize from abroad. In terms of location, areas close to campus or south of Princess Street are especially convenient, because Kingston is very walkable and many students also use bikes. Personally, I would recommend Facebook Marketplace to find accommodation. Please make sure that you sign a rental agreement. Additionally, on campus living is not possible for exchange students.

3. Academic life at host university

Academic life at Queen’s University is centered around the Smith School of Business, where exchange students in the MBA-related program usually attend all of their classes. The academic setting is interactive, supportive, and strongly based on teamwork. Many courses include case work, presentations, simulation exercises, reports, and class participation, while traditional written exams play a smaller role. Attendance is generally mandatory, and professors are described as approachable, experienced, and highly engaged. The campus itself offers a classic North American university atmosphere, with a dedicated business school environment, libraries, food options, and excellent sports facilities such as the ARC gym. Compared with WU, the workload seems manageable, but students should still expect a busy schedule due to the large amount of group work and continuous assessment.

5. Every day life in the host country

Everyday life in Kingston is shaped by a combination of campus life, student social activities, and the city’s relaxed atmosphere. Much of the social scene takes place either on campus or around Princess Street, where students meet in cafés, bars, and restaurants. The city is generally described as safe, and because it is not very large, most places can be reached on foot, by bus, by bike or with a relatively affordable Uber. Students also benefit from free access to sports facilities, including the gym, courts and intramural leagues, which are a big part of student life. During warmer weeks, the waterfront and the pier are popular places to spend time with friends. While Kingston itself is smaller and quieter than major Canadian cities, this also makes it easy to settle in and build a daily routine quickly.

6. Testimonial

Looking back, my exchange semester at Queen’s University was one of the most valuable and memorable experiences of my studies. You'll meet people from all over the world and I'm very thankful for the friends i made during this time. I'm pretty sure you won't regret choosing Kingston!